This year, the All Blacks will enter the RWC tournament as the strongest favorites the tournament has had since 1987, the last time they won*.

Since then, the All Blacks haven't dealt with the pressure of tournament play in the RWC that well and, with expectations being higher this year, many observers and lovers of the game outside New Zealand still hold out the hope that despite their superior talent and depth, they can still be beaten on the day.  Fingers point furiously at the All Black lineout and comfort is drawn from the fact that it malfunctions, and that the All Blacks may fail to execute under the pressure of the occasion.

But this is an experienced All Black outfit who have dealt with and learned from the disappointment of the 2003 semi loss to Australia, it has leadership and competitors right across the park that can adjust the game plan, and it has wise heads off the field who will not be out-coached or out-smarted.

There was an interesting story the other day (can't remember which newspaper) about the current English squad training with the British Marines.  In 1999, after a similar few days of team and leadership building exercises, Woodward was approached by Marine officers who told him that there were a few members of his squad that they would NOT be comfortable going into battle with, given how they handled stress they had been placed under and how they worked with their team mates.  Come 2003, those guys were gone and everyone was a fighter in the squad and team.

It appears that aside from skill base and fitness, Henry has really focussed on ensuring that come the hour, there is real fight, commitment and leadership on the field in every position.  Even when talking of Toeava, it seemed the most important thing to him was how the kid responded to "adversity" from a couple of poor performances.  Any team can be beaten on the day, but one senses that the confidence that this All Black team has now, that has been built by coming through in hard games.  In resisting an English onslaught with 14 men at Twickenham, in smashing France at home, in sweeping the Lions, and in beating the Boks last week in a significant come from behind victory. All were vital.  Through these games, they are removing any doubt within the camp that they can overcome anything.

Still, they must put away Australia now in both 3N games.  It only takes one defeat against the likes of Australia before ever former player who has ever worn the yellow, with every NH coach chiming in to boot, speaking of the All Blacks mental fragility and to build the pressure even further.  Even though the All Blacks defeated Australia twice in 2003, their players and coaching staff believed they knew how to win based upon the final 10 minutes of the 2nd leg in New Zealand when a Reuben Thorne lineout win at 2 was required to secure the ball and the win against a resurgent Australia.  If Oz can't fire an few bullets and dent the All Blacks in Melbourne this weekend, the rest of the world will be as deflated also. 

*I think the Frogs were favourites weren't they, having smashed us, and Bucks testicles in France at the end of 1985...? - BartMan